Bachelor and Master theses

Further opportunities

Master thesis on Molecular mechanisms of glutamate transport in synaptic vesicles

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. It is released by the presynaptic nerve terminal via exocytosis, and glutamatergic synaptic transmission is thus based on effective and selective glutamate accumulation by vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs). VGLUTs are complex multifunctional transport proteins, whose functions have remained insufficiently understood.

We plan to employ a combination of atomistic and quantum mechanical simulations to understand how VGLUTs harness proton gradients.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals with an interest in molecular simulations and biophysics. Most importantly, the research will be in close collaboration with the experimental lab of Prof. Christoph Fahlke at Forschungszentrum Jülich, one of the leading scientists in Germany in the field of transporters.

The master thesis work can start now and it may be followed by a PhD position at RWTH-Aachen University on the same topic, for which we have an opening starting from 2024.

Contacts: p.carloni@fz-juelich.de and m.alfonso-prieto@fz-juelich.de